Teacher Fired After Criticizing Ridwan Kamil on Social Media

Dream - A teacher at SMK Telkom Sekar Kemuning in Cirebon City, West Java, Muhammad Sabil Fadilah, was fired by the institution after leaving critical comments on the Instagram of West Java Governor, Ridwan Kamil.

"I have indeed been fired, but here (in the letter) it is stated as the termination of employment, this is because of my comment on IG of Governor Ridwan Kamil," said Muhammad Sabil Fadhilah, Wednesday, March 15, 2023, as quoted from merdeka.com.

This case started when he commented on the post of West Java Governor who was doing a zoom meeting with several students of SMPN 3 Kota Tasikmalaya on Tuesday morning.

He admitted that he spontaneously wrote the comment because Ridwan Kamil's post appeared on his personal Instagram timeline @sabilfadhillah. He wrote the comment in Sundanese language.

"Dalam zoom ini, maneh teh keur jadi gubernur jabar ato kader partai ato pribadi @ridwankamil???" (In this zoom, are you being the governor of West Java or a party cadre or a private individual).

Sabil admitted that the use of the word "maneh" was indeed impolite, because he believed that Ridwan Kamil was a "humble" person, especially when appearing on television or social media, often considering netizens' comments as normal.

"I know I was wrong in using the word 'maneh', because in Sundanese language there are levels and the word 'maneh' is in the second place. Because what I know is that Ridwan Kamil is easygoing, especially when appearing on television," he said.

He said the reason for commenting on Ridwan Kamil's post was because when interacting, he was wearing a yellow suit.

He questioned why he was wearing that suit, considering that he was interacting with students.

Because as far as Sabil knows, Ridwan Kamil has just joined a party that has a yellow color, so he tried to ask about it.

"When dealing with the world of education, as far as I understand, there is no practical politics in the school environment. And at that time, Ridwan Kamil was wearing a yellow suit," he said.

Meanwhile, Ridwan Kamil clarified the issue of the fired teacher in his social media post.

"Responding to the news that a vocational school teacher was fired by the foundation for criticizing me, which also surprised me," wrote Governor Ridwan Kamil on his personal account.

According to him, there have been thousands of criticisms towards him and he responds calmly and normally, even often with jokes.

However, Ridwan Kamil continued, because the offensive comment was made by a teacher, it is feared that it will be imitated and seen by his students, so the school took strict action.

"Maybe because the one who made the offensive post is a teacher, and his posts might be seen/imitated by his students, so the school/foundation took firm action according to the regulations of the respective school," he wrote.

After the incident, Ridwan Kamil immediately contacted the school. He asked that the person in question be advised and reminded, without the need for termination.

"Whatever it is, in this era of social media without censorship, it is our duty as parents, teachers, and leaders to continue advising each other in goodness, patience, and always be wise in using social media. So that our children and grandchildren can live in a more noble civilization. That's all I can say," he wrote.

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